Cutter chain



Dec. 26, 1944. V L. g. SIMMONS 2,365,780

CUTTER CHAIN Filed Nov. 1, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6, 44.. L. E.vs|MMoNs 2,365,78

CUTTER CHAIN Filed Nov. 1, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H y/Q 123%]! Patented Dec. 26, 1944 STATES a i-mm OFFICE CUTTER CHAIN.

Leon E. Simmons, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 1, 1940, Serial No. 363.907

I 7 Claims. (Cl. 262-33) This invention relates to keri cutting means, and more particularly hasreference to improvements in cutter chains especially. designed for use in cutting kerfs in coal.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved kerf cutting means. Another object is to provide an improved cutter chain especially designed for use in cutting kerfs in coal. A further object is to provide an improved cutter chain having an improved chain block structure. Yet another object is to provide an improved cutter chain having an improved chain block and strap link structure and embodying improved means for pivotally connecting the blocks and strap links. A still further object is to provide an improved chain block of the twopart or split type embodying a pair of mating block parts and improved means for securing the parts together. I Still another object is.to provide an improved block-part-securing means which also serves as means for securing a cutter bit in cutting position on the chain block. A further object is to provide an improved cutter chain which may be assembled and dismantled in an improved manner. Another object is to provide an improved cutter chain which is simple and rugged in design and well adapted to meet the severe demands of service in the cutting of coal. A still further object is to provide an improved cutter bit supporting and holding means. Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

, In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration several forms which the invention may assume in practice.-

'In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a cutter chain constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig, 1,. showing aportion of the cutter bar on which the chain is guided. v

Fig. 3'is a view in central longitudinal section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the chain block parts.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the other chain block part, which is adapted to cooperate with the part shown in Fig. 4. i i

. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the holding bolt. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the strap link. Fig. '8 is a view similar to Fig. '3, showing a modifiedform of the invention. 1

ll--ll of Fig. 10, showing a portion of the cutter bar on which the chain'is guided.

Fig. 12 is a view in central longitudinal section taken substantially on line l2--l2 of Fig. '11.

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken on line I3-l3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one of the chain block parts. V

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the strap link. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of'the holding bolt. Fig. 17 is a perspective View of the other chain block part, which is adapted to cooperate with the part shown in Fig. 14. a

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs, 1 to 8, inclusive, the improved cutter chain is generally designated I and is guided for circulation about the margin of a cutter bar 2 of a conventional form, a portion of the cutter bar being shown in Fig. 2. The cutter bar has internal guideways 3 for receiving guides on the cutter chain, as hereinafter described.

The cutter chain comprises .a series of. chain blocks 4,.of an improved design, one of which is shown in Fig. 1, and these. blocks are pivotally connected together by strap links 5. Each chain block 4 comprises mating block parts 6 and I each having at its outer side a lateral guide 8, and these guides are received in the cutter bar guideways 3 in a well known manner. The block,

I 15,15 for receiving these strap link trunnions when the strap'links. are in position centrally between the side portions as shown in Fig. 2. By the provision of the trunnions' on the strap links fitting openings in the block parts, a pivotal connection between the links and blocks is afforded which eliminates rivets and bushings, thereby resulting in simplification of and rendering more rugged the pivot structure. The block part 1 is grooved transversely at l6, 6 at the respectively which, when in alinement, are adapt-.

ed to receive a holding bolt 22 (Fig. 6). This bolt has a cylindric body 23 which fits tightly the bores 20, 2|, and a reduced threaded end portion 24 which has threaded thereon a tightening nut 25. The bolt body is traversed by an opening 26 of rectangular cross section in registry with a correspondingly shaped opening 21 in the block lug l0, and these openings are adapted to receive the rectangular shank 28 of a conventional cutter bit 29, the latter having a cutting point 30. The end of the bolt body opposite from its reduced threaded portion is formed with a circular head 3| which is slabbed off to provide a plane surface 32 engageable with a corresponding plane surface 33 on the block part 6 for holding the bolt against rotation in the bores relative to the block. The bolt 22 not only serves to hold the cutter bit in cutting position on the chain block but also to secure the block parts together. The cutter chain may be driven by a double sprocket having teeth straddling the strap links and engaging the receding ends of the chain blocks in a manner similar to that described in my copending application Serial No. 273,511,, filed part 39, with the exception of the notched front lug, is similar to that shown in Fig. 4. When the holding bolt is tightened, the cutter bit is firmly clamped in cutting position on the chain block, and when its active cutting point becomes dull the cutter bit may be reversed end-for-end within its socket on the chain block, in a well known manner. When both cutting points on the cutter bit become dull, the cutter bit may be discarded due to its relatively inexpensive design.

In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to 1'7, inclusive, the cutter chain,

May 13, 1939, now matured. into Patent No.

2,324,033, patented July 13, 1943.

In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the chain block and strap link structure is similar to that above described. The cutter bit, however, is of a different type from that shown in Fig.. 3, and the chain block parts and holding bolt have been modified to receive this dilferent type of cutter bit. The cutter bit is of the double-ended, reversible type known as a throw-away bit, and may be of the same type as that shown in the patent to Ross 2,020,215, althoughit will be evident that various conventional forms of cutter bits may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. The cutter bit is designated 35 and, as disclosed, is triangular in shape in side elevation and of stock generally diamond-shaped in cross section, with plane cutting faces 36, 36 at the sides of the triangle, terminating in cutting points 31, 31 at the opposite extremities of the bit. The cutting faces are of elongated diamond shape and are individually symmetrical as to both major and minor axial lines. The chain block 38 is preferably made in two parts, 39 and 40, similar to the chain block above described, and the block parts similarly have lugs 4| and 42 provided with alined circular bores for receiving the body of a holding boltv 43 similar to the holding bolt 22. In this instance, the central lug 42 of the chain block part is formed with an obliquely inclined socket 44 shaped to receive the body of the cutter bit and entering the lug bore, and the holding bolt is recessed at 45 to receive the inner, inactive cutting portion of the cutter bit, in the manner shown. The front lug 4 l' is notched at 46 to provide clearance for the forward face of the active cutting portion of the cutter bit and to enable endwise release of the bit from the chain block when the holding bolt is released. The block generally designated 50, is designed for use with a cutter bar 5| similar to that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 273,511, above referred to. As shown in Fig. 11, the cutter bar consists of'a narrow plate 52 formed with a marginalfiange 53 about which the cutter chain is adapted to be circulated. The cutter chain, in this instance, comprises chain blocks 54 pivotally connected by strap links 55. The chain blocks are each preferably of the two-part or split type comprisin mating block parts 56 and 51, and the chain block and strap links straddle the bar flange and have inwardly directed guides 58 and 59 respectively, received in the external guideways on the cutter bar. As in the forms of the invention above described, the chain block parts have lugs 60 andfil formed with circular bores 62 and 63 for receiving, when in alinement, a cylindric body of.

a holding bolt 64. The holding bolt 64 and cutter bit 65 are, in this instance, similar to those shown in Figs. 3 and 6 of the embodiment of the invention above described. The holding bolt has a reduced threaded end 66 for receiving a tightening nut 67 and a circular head 68 flattened off at 69 for engagement with a flat surface 10 on the chain block part 56 to prevent rotation of the bolt relative to the block. The strap link 55, as shown in Fig. 15, has side plate portions II integrally connected by a transverse bridge portion 12, and the side plate portions have lateral circular trunnions 13, I3 receivable in circular bores 14 and in the block parts 56 and 51 respectively. These strap links are preferably forged in one straight piece and then bent into proper shape, although it will be obvious that they could be formed in several parts welded or otherwise secured together. In this embodiment of the invention, as well as those abovedescribed, the.

drive sprocket for the cutter chain is of the double tooth type straddling the strap links and engaging the receding end surfaces of the chain blocks. Also, the, holding bolt for the cutter bit serves as holding means for securing the block I parts together. In this instance the cutter chain.

is guided externally of the guide flange of the cutter'bar, while in the other embodiments the cutter chain is guided along the internal guideways ofa conventional cutter bar.

In the several'embodiments of the invention, the cutter chain may be-readily placed on or removed from the cutter bar simply by removing the bit-holding bolts, so that the block parts can a be separated laterally relative to the guide surfaces on the cutter bar and the blocks may be detached from the cutter bar either at the inner or the 'outer end thereof. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, it is necessary first to remove the usual end plates of i the cutter bar, if it is desired to remove the cutter chain from the outer end of the cutter bar. In the several embodiments the flattened surfaces on the blocks and/or the holding bolts may be disposed in different angular relations on dif-.

, that an improved kerf cutting means is provided embodying a cutter chain structure of a novel and improved design. It will also, be evident that by forming the chain blocks in two cooperant parts,- the pivot structure between the blocks and strap links is simplified, resulting in the elimination of rivets and bushings. Further, by making the blocks in two mating parts the placing of the cutter chain on and theremoval thereof from the cutter bar are facilitated. It will further be evident that in the novel cutter chain design disclosed, the holding bolts for the cutter bits also serve as holding means for securing the chain block parts together. Other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

White there are in this application specifically described several forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be furthermodified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patents is: i

1. In, a cutter chain, a chain block comprising cooperating separable parts, said parts having cooperating lugs provided with alined bores, and means for securing said block parts together including a bolt passing through the bores in said guide adapted to be received in the guideways of a cutter bar, one of said block parts adapted to receive a cutter bit, and means for securing said parts together, said securing means also serving to hold a cutter bit in cutting position on the block.

. 4. In a cutter chain, a, chain block comprising separable parts, said parts having cooperating lugs provided with alined bores, and releasible means for securing said block parts together and for holdinga cutter bit in cutting position on the block, said securing and holding means including a securing and holding element received in said bores and having a portion adapted to engage a cutter bit.

5. In a cutter chain, a chain block comprising separable parts, said parts having cooperating lugs provided with alined bores, and means for securing said block parts together including a holding element passing through the bores in said lugs, said block having an opening adapted to receive a cutter bit, and said holding element also serving as means for holding a cutter bit in said block opening.

6. In a cutter chain, a chain block comprising cooperating separable parts having interlocking lugs, said lugs having transverse abutment surfaces and movable out of interlocking relation upon relative lateral movement of said block parts, 2. lug of each block part having a bore extending longitudinally of the block, and said bores when said lugs are in interlocking relation with said lug surfaces in abutting engagement being disposed in alinement, and means for detachably securing said block parts together including a securing member arranged in said alined lug bores.

7. In a cutter chain, a chain block comprising two cooperating separable parts, onepart having a centrally located lug and said other part having longitudinally spaced lugs, said lugs being disposable in interlocking relation with said central lug fitting between said spaced lugs, said lugs having transverse abutment surfaces and movable out of interlocking relation upon relative lateral movement of said block parts, said central lug having a socket disposed intermediate said spaced lugs for receiving a cutter bit, and means engaging said lugs for detachably securing said blocks together with said lugs in interlocking relation and said lug surfaces in abutting engagement.

LEON E. SIMMONS. 

